Atherosclerosis

endothelium layer inside an artery becomes damaged

lining of artery is breached = inflammatory response - WBC, chemicals (cholesterol) leave blood vessel n go into artery

may be due to high blood pressure or smoking

a fatty deposit = ATHEROMA

Calcium salts n fibrous tissue harden artery = plaque

loses elasticity

plaque causes lumen to be narrower = rise in blood pressure = + feedback building up, can cause other plaques to form

results in: - myocardial infarction/coronary heart disease

- stroke

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